Abstract
A comprehensive morphological analysis is of prime importance for the establishment of structure/property-correlations for polymeric materials. In the development of advanced morphological characterization methods for materials special emphasis is given to the combined Raman spectroscopy and microscopy. The main objective of this thesis was the systematic evaluation of far-field Raman microscopical techniques for the morphological analysis of heterogeneous polymeric materials. Therefore, semi-crystalline polyethylene compounds for ski bases and thermoset coil coatings were characterized comprehensively. Measuring and evaluation methods for the three phase morphology of polyethylene and the lubricant and pigment distribution in coil coatings were implemented and used. With regards to ski bases special focus was given to Raman microscopical characterization procedures for polyethylene compounds with varying molar mass. The Raman microscopical approach was corroborated by differential scanning calorimetry. For wax modified coil coatings with varying pigmentation optical light microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy were further used for the qualitative and quantitative description of the heterogeneous morphology on different scales from the nanometer to the micrometer range. For the investigated polyethylene compounds for ski bases a significant effect of the processing conditions on the three phase morphology was confirmed especially for grades with ultra high molecular weight. The carbon black filler had a negligible impact on the development of the three phase morphology. Along the process chain from the polymerizate to the structured ski base a decrease of the crystalline fraction associated with an increase of the amorphous fraction and the interphase was found. Structuring leaded to significant different morphologies within the bulk and the surface of the ski base. For wax modified coil coatings spherical wax domains with dimensions in the nano- and micrometer range were detected. In wax features with diameter above 2 micrometer residues of binder and pigment were ascertained. The heterogeneous morphology of wax in the coating was on the one hand dependent on formulation parameters (pigmentation and wax content). On the other hand a significant effect of the curing conditions on the occurrence and distribution of wax was established.
Translated title of the contribution | Morphology of Polymers - Investigation of Polyethylene Ski Bases and Thermoset Coil Coatings |
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Original language | German |
Qualification | Dr.mont. |
Supervisors/Advisors |
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Publication status | Published - 2009 |
Bibliographical note
embargoed until nullKeywords
- morphology
- Raman spectroscopy
- microscopy
- polyethylene
- polyester
- wax
- ski
- coil coating